Artificial limb.



PATENTED DEC. 6, 1904.

Ea. J. HENRY.

ARTIFICIAL LIME.

APPLICATION FILED we. 12, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHBET 1.

IN) MODEL.

WITNESSES:

AT? 0811/ S.

No. 776,908. PATENTBD DEC. 6, 1904.

s. J. HENRY.

ARTIFICIAL LIME.

APPLIGATION FILED AUG. 12, 1904,

Jr A 11 3 SHBETS-SHEBT 2.

M/VEN 70/? kmwe cz fi eny H0 MODEL.

WITNESSES o flpwq No. 776,908. PATENTED DEC. 6, 1904. S. J. HENRY.

ARTIFICIAL LIMB.

AP'PLIUATION FILED AUG. 12, 1904. N0 MODEL. 3 sums-421mm a. I

INTO/3W liVl/ENTOR ,JzmueZ elf/ @707- WITNESSES Patented December 6,1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL J. HENRY, OF PRINCETON, IOWA.

ARTlFlClAL LIME.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 7'7 6,908, datedDecember 6, 1904.

Application filed August 12, 190d.

To all 1071,0721, zit nu/ concern:

Be itknown that I, SAMUEL J. HENRY, a citizen of the United States, anda. resident of Princeton, in the county of Scott and State of Iowa, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Artificial Limbs, of which thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to artificial limbs.

The object of the invention is to produce an artificial limb which maybe worn with comfort and which in use gives a certain elasticity ofmovement, preventing shocks and jars to the amputated limb.

The invention consists in the construction and combination of parts tobe more fully described hereinafter and definitely set forth in theclaims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings. forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar characters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is substantially a side elevation of the artificial limbcomplete, some parts being broken away and shown in section. Fig. 2 is alongitudinal section taken through the lower portion of the artificiallimb. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a member which constitutes an innersocket intended to receive the stump of the amputated limb. Fig. 1 is avertical section taken substantially on the line L t of Fig. 2. In thisview the inner socket is shown substantially in elevation, but brokenaway at a certain point. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section takensubstantially upon the line 5 5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a horizontalsection taken substantially upon the line 6 6 of Fig. 4:. Fig. 7 is aperspective view representing an elastic strap used in connection withthe limb. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a guide or channel used in theconstruction of the lower portion of the limb. Fig. 9 is a perspectiveview of a sleeve or thimble used in connection with the ankle-joint ofthe limb; and Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a suspender which assistsin supporting the artificial limb, illustrating the manner of applyingthe suspender to ones body.

Before proceeding to a detail description of the artificial limb itshould be stated at the Serial No. 220,500. (No model.)

outset that the limb to which the same is to be applied is supposed tohave been amputated below the knee.

Referring more particularly to the parts, 1 represents a thiglrlacer,(shown most clearly in Fig. 1,) the same consisting of a wide band orcuff of stout leather adapted to encircle the thigh above the knee, thesame being laced, preferably, at the front with a suitable cord orstring 2. Below the thigh-lacer 1 a kneecufi 3 is provided, the samebeing very similar in construction to the thigh-lacer l, but of lesswidth, as shown. This cuff is adapted to be applied to the limb justabove the knee, as indicated. At the sides of the thigh-lacer andknee-cuii' thiglrstraps i are provided, the same being securely attachedto the thighlacer and knee-cuff, as indicated at 5 and 6. This strap 4preferably consists of a flat band of steel or similar material, and atits lower extremity it is formed with an oifset extension 7 opposite theknee-joint.

Referring now more especially to Figs. 2 to 6, inclusive, the lower part8 of the artificial limb comprises an outer socket 9 and an inner socket10. In its construction the outer socket comprises a stout ring 11,disposed at the upper portion of the member, which ring is connected atits front and rear by means of shin-straps 12 and 13 with an ankle orankle-piece 14, which is diposed at the lower portion of the limb, asshown. This anklepiece 14; is preferably composed of wood and hassubstantially the form of a natural limb just above the ankle-joint. Theupper portion of this piece is preferably provided with a cavity orlarge recess 15. At the upper extremity of the ankle within the recess15 a ring 16 is attached, as shown, and at the sides side straps 17connect this ring 16 with the aforesaid upper ring 11. ()n the outerside of the upper ring 11 a top leather 18 is attached which passescontinuously around the outer side of the ring and projects above thesame, as shown. To the lower portion of the ankle-piece 14 a foot 19 isattached by a joint 20, and this foot, together with the entire limbbelow the top leather 18, is covered by a suitable leather 21, as shown,the said leathersurrounding and incasing the straps 12, 13, and 17 andpassing continuously around the ring 11.

At the sides of the limb channel members or guides 22 are provided, oneof which is very clearly shown in Fig. 8. The bodies of these guide aresubstantially channel-shaped, as indicated, and provided with flanges23, which attach to the leather covering 21 on the outer side thereof,as indicated. At their upper portions the bodies of the channels 22 arereduced, as at 24, and the flanges 25 at these points attach to theouter face of the cover 21 at the upper ring 11. The side straps 17,already referred to, are carried in the channels or guides 22 and extendupwardly beyond the same, as indicated. These straps enlarge above theouter socket to form heads 26, which make pivotal connections at 27 withthe lower extremities of the thigh-straps 4.

The inner socket 10, referred to above, is shown most clearly in Fig. 3.It comprises an enlarged upper extremity or mouth 28, which tapersdownwardly to form a shoulder 29, and below this shoulder a longtapering neck 30 is provided. This inner socket is adapted to bereceived within the outer socket, as indicated most clearly in Fig. 4.From an inspection of this figure it should appear that the neck isreceived in the outer socket below the ring 11, while the shoulder 29 isdisposed a short distance above the ring, as incated. This inner socket10 is normally maintained in the position in which it is shown in Fig. 4by means of elastic hangers or tapes- 31, which are disposed at eachside of the limb, lying in the channels 22 over the face of the straps17. One of these tapes is very clearly shown in Fig. 7. Each tapeconsists, preferably, of a number of layers or strips 32 of elasticmaterial, and at the upper extremity of each tape a hook 33 is attached.These hooks are received in pockets or recesses 34, formed in the outerface of the upper ring 11 between the same and the straps 17, asindicated most clearly in Fig. 4. The lower extremities of these tapes32 are also provided with hooks 35, and these hooks are adapted to bereceived by elongated eyes 36, attached to the lower portion of the neck30 of the inner socket, as indicated most clearly in Figs. 3 and 4. Thehangers 32 are permanently secured in place at their upper extremitiesby means of openings in the hooks 33, which openings receive screws 38therethrough which attach the same to the upper ring 11, as indicated inFig. 5. The ends of the tapes are incased in leathers Upon the upperface of the upper ring 11 an elastic ring or buffer 39 rests, the sameconsisting, preferably, of rubber. The purpose of this buffer willappear more fully hereinafter.

The joint 20, referred to above, will be located at substantially thesame point as in a natural limb, and from this point inclined faces40and 41, formed at the under side of the ankle-piece 14, extendforwardly and rearwardly, as shown. At the joint 20 a tubular member orsleeve 42 is mounted in a horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 4, thesaid tube being recessed into the under side of the anklepiece at themeeting-line of the faces 40 and 41. At intermediate points the saidsleeve 42 is formed with integral flanges or collars 43, which serve asreinforcements to facilitate the attachment of bolts 44, which make athreaded engagement therewith and pass upwardly into the recess 15, atwhich point they are secured in position by suitable nuts 45. In thisway the sleeve 42 is rigidly attached to the under side of theanklepiece. At. substantially its middle point the under side of thesleeve 42 is provided with a short circumferential slot 46, and withinthe sleeve behind this slot a loose plug or tumbler 47 is mounted. Thistumbler is provided with a stem or stud 48, which extends downwardlythrough the slot and the foot 19. To the lower extremity of this stem anut 49 is attached, which firmly connects the foot 19, as will bereadily understood.

In its construction the foot 19 comprises a body 50, havingsubstantially the form of the lower portion of the foot and preferablycomposed of Mexican felt or similar material. To the upper side of thisbody an upper or block 51 is attached,the same consisting, preferably,of wood and having inclined upper faces 52 and 53 lying substantiallyadjacent to the inclined faces 40 and 41, as shown most clearly in Fig.2. At the junction .of the inclined faces 52 and 53 substantially thelower half of the sleeve 42 is recessed into the upper side of the block51, as indicated. The body of the foot is preferably attached to theupper 51 by means of a suitable screw 54 passing upwardly near the heel,and this screw serves to attach a sole 55, as indicated, which sole isincased with the rest of the foot by the covering 21. It has been foundthat a tendency to turn up at the toes sometimes manifests itself inartificial limbs of this kind, and in order to overcome this defect 1provide an insole 56,- preferably of elastic material, which attaches tothe upper side of the sole 55 near the shank thereof, as indicated inFig. 2, and to the under side of the body 50 of the foot near the toethereof. The under face of the body 50 of the foot is preferablyprovided at substantially the shank of the foot with a recess 57, intowhich recess the aforesaid stem 48 extends, facilitating the attachmentof the nut 49 thereto. Rearwardly of the recess 57 a second recess 58 isprovided at the heel of the foot. Openings 59 and 60 are provided,whichpass through the foot 19 respectively from the faces 52 and 53, openingout into the recesses 57 and 58. These openings receive cords 61 and 62,which terminate below in v'reeos loops attaching totransversely-disposcd pins 63, carried, respectively, in the recesses 57and 58. These cords project above the faces 52 and 53, as indicated, andattach to stems 64 and 65. These stems lie in openings 66, which passupwardly and communicate with the recess 15. Their upper extremities arethreaded, as shown, for the attachment of nuts 67, seating upon theheads 68 of thimbles 69. Surrounding the bodies of the thimbles 69springs 70 are placed, the same being received in sockets 71 and 72.These sockets are open above, as shown, and the socket 71 rests upon thebottom of the recess 15, while the socket 72 is preferably countersunkinto the same, as shown. The openings 66 are in substantial alinementwith the openings 59 and 60, and, as indicated, these openings arepreferably inclined, so that the heel-stem inclines forwardly above,while the toe-stem 6 L inclines rearwardly above. The cords 59 and 60are preferably formed of waxed Irish linen with a buckskin cover.

'It should be understood that in walking with the artificial limb thefoot 19 rocks upon the ankle-joint 20, and the springs operate verybeneficially to produce the desirable resiliency or elasticity in thestep. In order to prevent any shock and to limit the movement of thefoot, the faces 41 and 53 are preferably provided with buttons orbufi'ers 7 3, of substantially mushroom form, having cnlarged headsadapted to abut together, as will be readily understood. Theforward-inclined face 52 is provided with a buffer 74 of similar form,the head of which is adapted to come against the under side of theankle-piece to arrest the upward movement of the toe of the foot.

in order to give the lower portion of the artificial limb a shapelyappearance, a pad 75 is provided of substantially the form shown, thesame having clasps 76 around the edges thereof, as indicated in Fig. 1,making the pad removable, as will be readily understood.

A suspender 77 is provided for supporting the thigh-lacer 1, and thissuspender comprises a main band 78, which passes over the shoulder ofthe invalid which is remote from the artificial limb, as indicated mostclearly in Fig. 10, passing under the armpit of the adjacent shoulder.An adjusting-strap 79 is attached to this band 78 at the point shown,passing around the body for the purpose of securing the main band andadjusting the same, as will be readily understood. The main band '78terminates in an elastic loop 80, supporting an eye 81, and to this eyean adjustable strap 82 attaches, the lower extremity whereof attaches toadjustable straps 83. These lead to the sides of the thigh-lacer nearthe upper portion thereof and are connected to eyes 83, as shown. Theforward portion of the knee-cuff 3 is connected with the upper portionof the lower limb 9 of the artificial limb by means of straps 84, whichattach at 85, as shown. The lower extremities of these straps includeelastic portions 86, and the straps pass under keepers or guideloops 87,formed of leather, and attaching to the forward face of the top leather18, as indicated, it being understood that with the movement of thelower limb upon the knee-joint the-straps 84 would have perfect freedomof play forwardly and rearwardly under the keepers 87.

In applying the limb it should be understood that the stump of the lowerlimb would be received in the inner socket 10, the inner socket beingreceived in the outer socket in the manner described above.

In walking as the weight is placed upon the artificial limb the innersocket operates to extend the hangers 32, which afford an elasticresistance as the socket seats itself upon the elastic cushion 39. Inthis manner a very elastic motion results, which prevents possibility ofshocks being received by the stump of the limb. It should be stated thatthe character of the hangers 32 depends upon the weight of the personwho uses the limb, an increased force being necessary to extend thehangers where the person wearing the limb is of large proportions. Themanner of connecting the foot to the ankle-piece is considered highlyadvantageous by reason of the re snlting resiliency and elasticity oftread, it being understood that the foot may rock freely upon theankle-piece and tends to return always to a normal position by reason ofthe springs 7 O. The elastic insole 56 operates beneficially toward thesame end, as also do the buffers or elastic buttons 73 and 7 a. The factthat the inner socket is normally free to rotate slightly upon itsvertical axis is very beneficial in preventing torsional strains beingimparted to the stump of the amputated limb.

In order to provide fora free circulation of air in the lower member,the wall of the recess 15 is provided with a plurality of open lugs 88,as shown.

Having th us described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent 1. A lower member for an artificial limb comprising,in combination, an inner socket having a shoulder thereabout and areduced portion below said shoulder, an outer socket adapted to receivesaid inner socket and presenting a ring upon which said shoulder maydescend, channels disposed on the inner face of said outer socket, belowsaid ring, and elastic hangers supported from said ring, attached tosaid inner socket and disposed in said channels.

2. A lower member for an artificial limb, comprising in combination, aframe having an upper ring, a casing enveloping said frame, channelsfacing inwardly and having flange." attaching to said casing, an innersocket having a reduced lower neck, and presenting a under side of saidbody forwardly, and fastening devices securing said insole to saidoutsole rearwardl y thereof.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing Witnesses.

SAMUEL J. HENRY Witnesses:

A. S. CARRO L, WILLIAM HENRY.

